Zach Strief, the burly and versatile offensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, is in lockout limbo.

Chris Granger/The Times-PicayuneOffensive lineman Zach Strief doesn't have a contract, but has been working out with the team.

But that hasn't stopped him from showing up at the OBA (Organized Brees Activities) at Tulane the past few weeks.

"I mean, you can work out by yourself. We're not doing anything here I shouldn't be doing if I was on my own," Strief said. "It's guys I know, it's techniques I know and it's just us getting ready as best as we can."

Strief has worn a variety of hats as a Saint, even lining up as a fullback and, on one play by the goal line in 2010, serving as Drew Brees' primary receiver. Strief stumbled a bit coming out of the block on that play and dropped a slightly high pass in what might have been his once chance to score an NFL touchdown reception.

No matter. As always, Strief remains his usual down-to-earth self, an even-keel he hopes will stay in New Orleans. The Saints did not make a tender offer to him before the collapse of the old collective bargaining agreement last March. Like other unsigned players, Strief will face a compressed opportunity to ink a deal with the Saints or some other team if the NFL resolves its labor dispute and tries to get the 2011 season up and running quickly.

"I feel bad for my agent, I'll tell you that," he quipped. "You know, obviously it compounds the problem, but I think the biggest thing has been spending the entire offseason not having a clue where you were going to be. If it ends up that I go somewhere else then I miss that whole offseason of learning an offense and it's like being a rookie again, almost."

That is not a scenario he relishes. While Strief did not go into detail, he said the indications he got from the Saints following the 2010 season were that the club still has a vision for him in New Orleans and he hopes that does not change.

"I think I want to be here; I think they want me here," Strief said. "There's certainly more to it than that at times, but I know they told me they wanted me to come back, they wanted me to be here and I want to be here. And so then it comes down to the unfortunate side of everything in the business - seeing if we can get something done. Hopefully we do, and if not I've certainly appreciated my time here."